JPS6173632A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, and relates to an endoscope apparatus in which the insertion performance of an insertion section is improved.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

In an endoscope device in which an operating section is connected to the proximal end of the insertion section to form the endoscope body, the operation section located on the proximal side of the insertion section can be grasped with the hand to operate the insertion section. It is known that a device is inserted into a patient's body cavity, and endoscopy and the like are performed using this device.

By the way, these endoscope devices mainly guide the distal end through the body cavity tube to the desired site, but in this case, the tip is guided through the large intestine in a 360° loop, or the large intestine? ! ! There are circumstances in which insertion cannot be performed successfully after passing through a body cavity tube that has a rough shape.

That is, in order for the insertion section to move forward from the inserted state with bending, the distal end side must be moved by obtaining a reaction from the υ1 limit at the bending section of the insertion section.
As shown in state A, the insertion portion a was inserted with a 360° bend. In some cases, the insertion force transmitted from the operating part is directly applied to the bending part C, partly because the body cavity wall is soft.
As shown in state B in Fig. 12, there is a problem in that the entire endoscope simply moves straight and the tip of the insertion section a does not move forward any further, making deep insertion impossible in many cases. .

Conventionally, when performing such insertion, measures have been taken such as inverting the insertion section a and then changing the curved shape of the insertion section a to make it easier to insert. Devices that change shape are troublesome to operate, take a lot of time to insert, and inevitably cause more pain to the patient.

Therefore, as a method to improve insertability, the Utility Model 50-1
A method as shown in Japanese Patent No. 6762 has been proposed. This is done by covering the outer periphery of the distal end of the insertion tube with a highly extensible cuff, and using a pump device to press fluid into the cuff. This device is designed to form a bulge, and by repeatedly forming the bulge, the tip of the bulge is successively locked onto the body cavity wall, and the tip of the insertion portion is advanced. be.

However, the structure of forming such a bulge to generate forward force is structurally complex because it uses fluid.
The formation of a bulge may damage the body cavity wall, causing great pain to the patient, and insertion has been difficult as before, so there is a need for something that can improve insertability in both of these respects.

[Purpose of the invention]

This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an endoscope device that has a simple structure and can insert an insertion section in a short time while reducing pain. It's about doing.

[Summary of the invention]

That is, in this invention, the distal end of the insertion section is brought into contact with the distal end of the pushing rod through the insertion section, and the distal end of the insertion section is vibrated by repeated pushing and pulling operations of the pushing rod, thereby causing the distal end to move forward. The idea is to give a driving force in the direction.

[Embodiments of the invention]

The present invention will be explained below based on a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of an endoscope device, in which 1 is an operating section provided with an eyepiece section 1a, 2 is an insertion section having a distal end component 2a formed at its distal end, and 3
is a universal cord with a connector 3a connected to its tip.

The insertion section 2 and the proximal end of the universal cord 3 are connected to the operation section 1 to form an endoscope main body 4.

On the other hand, 5 is an insertion tube, and 6 is a pushing rod. The insertion tube 5 is composed of a small diameter tube made of foamed tetrafluoroethylene resin, which has advantages such as flexibility, good slippage, and resistance to crushing when bent. The rear end of the tube is connected to a large-diameter active cylinder 8 provided at the rear of the operating section 1, and the distal end of the tube passes through the insertion section 2 and is connected to the distal end component 2a, so that the entire insertion tube 5 is It is arranged up to the distal end of the insertion section 2.

In addition, the pushing rod 6 is made of a small diameter rod material that is strong against axial compressive force and has good flexibility and slippage, and is made by filling the inside and outside of a tightly wound stainless steel coil vibe with polyethylene resin using extrusion molding. It consists of A gripping part 10 is connected to the rear end of this rod material, and an active cylinder 8 is connected to the connecting end of the gripping part 10.
A fitting part 10a that can be fitted with the sliding cylinder 8 is formed.
In addition, the pushing rod 6 can be freely inserted into the insertion tube 5 through the opening, and the pushing rod 6 can be inserted manually using the sliding cylinder 8 as a guide.
It is possible to push and pull the button. Of course, it goes without saying that the outer diameter of the pushing rod 6 is smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion tube 5. The inner surface of the sliding cylinder 8 is coated with silicone oil to ensure airtightness between the active cylinder 8 and the fitting portion 10a, and to facilitate push-pull operations. .

On the other hand, a contact portion 12 is formed on the distal end side of the insertion tube g. This abutting portion 1'2 has a communication passage 13 that communicates the tip of the insertion tube 5 and the distal end surface of the tip component 2a with the tip component 2a.
In addition, a narrow diameter portion 14 having a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the pushing rod 6 is formed at the distal end portion of the communication passage 13, and the narrow diameter portion 14 is subjected to the previous push/pull operation. The tip of the pushing rod 6 can come into contact with it. Therefore, it is possible to apply a propulsive force in the forward direction to the distal end of the insertion section 2.

Further, the diameter of the narrow diameter portion 14 is set to be large enough to allow forceps (not shown) to be inserted therein, and the sliding cylinder 8
A flange 15 is provided at the open end of the flange 15 for attaching a forceps plug, and the inserted bushing 0 tube 6 is pulled out from the flexible tube 5, and then, as shown in FIG. If the flexible tube 5 is attached, the forceps can be inserted into the flexible tube 5. In other words, the flexible tube 5 has a structure that also serves as a forceps channel, thereby preventing the diameter of the insertion section 2 from increasing (when the insertion tube 5 and the forceps channel are provided) and reducing the diameter. Specifically, for example, the inner diameter of the insertion tube 5 is set to 3.7611 mm, and the narrow diameter portion 14 is set to 3.7611 mm.
If the inner diameter of each is set to 2.8 m, forceps for a 2.8 mm channel can be used. Note that a tapered portion 17 is formed on the circumferential surface of the insertion portion of the narrow diameter portion 14 so that the tip of the inserted forceps can be inserted smoothly without getting caught in the abutting portion 12.

Furthermore, a conduit 18 that communicates with the sliding cylinder 8 and the connector 3a is inserted into the universal cord 3, and a signal line 20 that connects the suction operation button 19 provided on the operation section 1 and the connector 3a is inserted. is inserted, and the connector 3a is connected to the suction pump 21. The insertion tube 5 can also be used as a suction tube by connecting it to a terminal of a suction unit 24 that includes a drain tank 22 and a control valve 23.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 25 indicates an objective lens 26 provided at the tip of the tip component 2a and an eyepiece 1 of the eyepiece 1a.
This is an H dormitory system in which the image guide 27 is optically connected to the image guide 27.

Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus configured as described above will be explained.

Now, for example, as shown by X in FIG.
° loop and inserted into a body cavity canal (not shown);
Suppose that it becomes difficult for the distal end of the insertion section 2 to move forward any further. From this state, first, while fixing the operation part 1,
The hepsing rod 6 is forcefully pushed into the insertion tube 5 through the opening of the sliding cylinder 8. Then, the tip of the pushing rod 6 eventually comes into contact with the contact portion 12. Then, in order to repeat this contact, the gripping portion 1 of the pushing rod 6 is
By continuously pushing and pulling 0, vibrations in the forward direction are applied to the distal end of the insertion section 2 due to the impact force. At this time, there is a concern that the frictional resistance between the pushing rod 6 and the insertion tube 5 may act as a force to move the insertion section 2 in the direction of the bend (in the upward direction in FIG. 3). Ba.

Both the bushing rod 6 and the insertion tube 5 are made of a material with low frictional resistance, and they work due to dynamic friction. is only a small part of the pushing force. In other words, most of the force pushing the pushing rod 6 acts as a force that moves the tip of the insertion section 2 forward.

Due to these vibrations, the distal end of the insertion portion 2 gradually moves forward, as shown in the state Y in FIG. Of course, when pushing the pushing rod 6, if you push the operating part 1 a little too hard, the pushing rod 6
is pushed by the operating section 1, making it easier to move forward.

By advancing the distal end of the insertion section 2 by such vibrations, the insertion section 2 can be inserted to a desired site in a short time.

Furthermore, the insertion section 2 advances along the shape of the body cavity canal without affecting it, and is not anchored to the body cavity wall like a conventional bulge, so that the pain caused to the patient is reduced. Moreover, the structure for obtaining such an effect is simple because it is sufficient to simply insert the pushing rod 6 into the insertion tube 5 having the abutting portion 12 formed on the distal end side.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but also includes the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
The third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (a>, (b)), and the eleventh embodiment shown in FIG. The sixth embodiment shown in the figure may also be used.

It should be noted that in the second to fourth embodiments, the structure of the contact portion is different, and in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment, the pushing rod is operated in a different manner.
are shown respectively.

That is, what is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
2 can be attached and removed (replaced) freely by screw fitting, etc., and a replacement member 31 having a communication hole 30 with the same diameter as the communication path 13 is provided separately from the contact part 12, and this is attached to the contact part 12. The abutting portion 12. Replacement member 3
When using the pushing rod after replacing 1, replace the 4th one.
As shown in the figure, the contact part 12 is attached to the tip structure part 2a,
If it is necessary to use a treatment instrument with a large diameter, the contact part 1
2, as shown in FIG. 5, the tip structure portion 2a1. :
A W replacement member 31 is attached thereto. This has the advantage that a thick treatment section can be used.

In the case shown in FIG. 6, a bottle 33 is screwed into the tip portion 2a from the outer circumferential side toward the communicating path 13 so that it can move forward and backward, and the tip portion 33a of the bottle 33 protruding into the communicating path 13 is inserted into the abutting portion 12.
It is designed to compose the following.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example in which the contact portion is constructed using an existing hood that is removably provided on the outer circumferential side of the tip component. In detail, the existing hood 35 shown in FIG. The opening is provided with an observation window 36 as shown in FIG. 8 and a plate part 38 formed with a small cylindrical part 37 that can be fitted into the communication path 13 to constitute a hood 39 for the pushing rod. When using the hood 39, the hood 39 is attached to the tip component 2a instead of the existing hood 35, and the communication path 13 is
The abutment part 12 is configured by a small cylinder part 37 that is fitted into the cylindrical part 37.

On the other hand, FIG. 9 or FIG. 11 shows an endoscope device in which the pushing rod is manually operated by pushing and pulling, as shown in the first embodiment described above, in which the pushing rod is operated using a driving means. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows an AC plunger type solenoid 41 installed in the main body 40, a relay 42 connected to the input side of the solenoid 41, and a solenoid 4 connected to the relay 42.
1, in which the current input to 1 is alternately turned on and off at a time width TI of 0.25 seconds, as shown in (a) of FIG.
The time width T2 shown in Fig. 10 (b) is 0.167 s.
Connect the controller 43 that alternately turns on and off with ec,
This controller 43 (.

A selector switch 44 provided on the outside of the main body 40
7, and this drive attachment 47 is removably installed at the open end of one movement cylinder 8, and at the same time as the attachment, the grip portion 10 of the pushing rod 6 is inserted into the solenoid 41 so as to be freely retractable. In addition, a fitting passage 49 with a spring 48 arranged around it is formed in the front part of the solenoid 41, and a fitting passage 49 is formed in the front part of the solenoid 41.
A flange portion 50 is provided on the outer periphery of the center of the flange portion 50, which is fitted into the four insertion paths so as to be freely retractable.The elastic force of the spring 48 applies a returning force to the pushing rod 6 through the flange portion 50. When applying a propulsive force from the pushing rod 6 to the distal end of the insertion section 2, by operating the changeover switch 44, the solenoid 41 is energized at the timing shown in FIG. The forward and backward movements such as suction and separation (return) of the gripping part 19 due to the elastic force of the spring 48 are repeatedly performed.
The pushing rod 6 moves the tip of the insertion section 2 at a frequency of 2 vibrations per second to provide the driving force necessary to advance the tip of the insertion section 2, as in the first embodiment. . Also, by operating the selector switch 45, the (
Changing the timing of b), the tip of the insertion section 2 is rotated at 3 seconds per second.
The distal end of the insertion section 2 is moved forward by vibrating the same number of times. Of course, operating the switch 46 will stop the operation of the solenoid 41.

FIG. 11 shows a device in which the pushing rod 6 is vibrated using a drive attachment 52 that employs a motor 5o as a drive source. A main body 53 is detachably connected to the main body 53, and a plurality of rack teeth 54, for example, three rack teeth 54, are located at the rear end of the gripping portion 10 in the main body 53.
・Arrange the rack 55 formed with . This rack 55 is provided with a pinion gear 57 having some teeth 56 formed on its circumferential surface that meshes with the rack teeth 54, and this pinion gear 57 is used as a speed reduction mechanism consisting of a gear train. The rack 55 is connected to the motor 50 via the rack 58, and a return spring 59 is provided on the rack 55 to form a drive attachment 52. When applying a propulsive force to the distal end of the insertion portion 2 from the pushing rod 6, a switch 60 provided on the main body 53 is operated to operate the motor 50. As a result, the pinion gear 57 is rotated, and the teeth 56 of the pinion gear 57 mesh with the rack teeth 54 of the rack 55, causing the rack 5
5 is moved forward as a whole, and when the rack 55 is disengaged, the rack 55 returns due to the elastic force of the spring 60. However, by vibrating the tip of the insertion section 2 with the pushing rod 6, as in the first embodiment,
This provides the necessary propulsive force to advance the distal end of the insertion section 2.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, by repeatedly pushing and pulling the pushing rod, it is possible to apply vibration to the distal end of the insertion portion, thereby imparting a propulsive force to the distal end in the direction in which the distal end advances.

Therefore, the distal end of the insertion section can be inserted in a short period of time after a bend in a body cavity tube with a complicated shape, which is considered difficult. In addition, the insertion part advances along the shape of the body cavity without affecting the body cavity, and does not lock onto the body cavity wall like conventional bulges, so it causes less pain to the patient, and Since the configuration is such that the pushing rod is simply inserted into the insertion tube in which the contact portion is formed, it has the advantage of being simple in structure.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of this invention,
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the general structure of the endoscope device, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the forceps plug connected to the inlet side of the insertion tube, together with its attached state, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the forceps plug connected to the inlet side of the insertion tube. A cross-sectional view showing the transition when the tip of the insertion section is advanced by
4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing when a removable abutment part is attached, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state in which a replacement member having a communication hole with a large diameter is installed so that a thick treatment instrument can be inserted therethrough, and FIG. 7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an existing hood detachably attached to the distal end of the insertion section, and the eighth factor is the existing hood. FIGS. 9 and 10 (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views showing a hood with an abutting portion, which is worn in place of the hood shown in FIG. The figure is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a drive attachment that uses a plunger to operate a pushing rod, Fig. 10 (a). A sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of the invention in which the pushing rod is operated using the
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a problem in a conventional endoscope device in which when the insertion portion is inserted through a loop, the tip of the insertion portion does not advance and the entire device moves toward a curved portion. 2... Insertion part, 4... Endoscope main body, 5... Insertion tube, 6... Pushing rod, 10... Gripping part, 12
... Contact portion, 47.52 ... Drive attachment. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Jun Tsuboi No. 41! l ll51m Figure 6 Is 7 Figure s 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 (a) Figure 11 Procedural Amendments Showa 1st (+,, 'Month j, :: H Japan Patent Office Commissioner Shiga U-dono 1, case) Indication Patent Application No. 59-195176 2, Name of the invention Endoscope device 3, Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Name of the patent applicant (037) Olin/)S Optical Industry Co., Ltd. 4, Agent 5, Spontaneous correction: +5t), , '2+ i j 7, M positive contents +1+ Specification box 2-2-J Lines 3 to 4 C2 times ``...- Endoscope device (2a familiar If you have an endoscope device (-), hold the operating section with your left hand, and hold the operating section with your right hand on the proximal side of the insertion tube, i.e. , grip the part near the control section...
and correct it. (2) Change “3600” from line 10 of statement box 2-2-, line 17, line 2 of page 9 to “180°”.
” he corrected. (3) Delete the line ``Therefore, there remains a problem that...'' from the 10th line of the specification @ Part 3-2-Z. (4) Statement box 10-2-Schiff line 1: Correct "Pushing rod 6" in Iccf+ to "Insertion section 2". (5) In the drawing, stop the oil on the 9th figure on the attached sheet. Figure 9

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An endoscope main body having an insertion tube disposed in the insertion portion leading to the distal end thereof, a pushing rod that is freely inserted into the insertion tube, and the pushing rod formed at the distal end of the insertion tube. An endoscope device comprising a contact portion that contacts a tip of a rod. (2) The endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the insertion tube communicates with the distal end surface of the insertion section. (3) The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pushing rod is vibrated in the axial direction by a driving means.